HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS CALL FOR FOCUSING ATTENTION ON MOST VULNERABLE

TSUNAMI SURVIVORS, FULL PARTICIPATION

 

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 11 January (UN Information Service) -- The following statement was issued today by 26 mandate-holders of special procedures of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights:

In our capacity as Special Procedures mandate-holders appointed by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, we wish to express our condolences and solidarity to the people of South and South-East Asia for the loss of human life in the earthquake-triggered tsunamis that took place on 26 December 2004, as well as to the people of the eastern coast of Africa who were also hit by the tsunami.  We are deeply distressed that thousands of individuals and families find themselves confronting a terrible situation that has forced them into homelessness or surviving in inadequate and insecure conditions.  We are shocked by the scale of the tragedy and deeply moved by the courage and solidarity shown by the survivors, women, men and children.

It is difficult to evaluate the number of victims as this figure, unfortunately, is still increasing.  It would seem that the latest estimates are of more that 150,000 dead, of thousands of persons missing, of probably more than a million individuals in need of urgent medical and food assistance, and of more than 1 million internally displaced.  The destruction of infrastructure, especially in communications, transportation and health care, makes the situation even more complicated for humanitarian and health professionals to provide first assistance.  In many areas, the sanitary situation is extremely worrying, as drinking water is scarce, food is lacking and people are surviving in precarious conditions.  The risk of infectious diseases is serious, with children particularly exposed.

The many children separated from their families or left orphaned require immediate attention to protect them from trafficking or any other exploitation.  Everything must be done to ensure the placement of orphaned children with surviving extended family.  We welcome the provisional and urgent initiatives taken by some governments in that regard.  Temporary educational infrastructures should be put in place where needed to ensure that children resume schooling as soon as possible.  Displaced women and girls must also be protected from all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.

We acknowledge with appreciation the unprecedented solidarity by the international community to bring emergency humanitarian aid to the people affected by this disaster.  We call on the governments concerned, the United Nations and the humanitarian organizations to ensure that assistance is delivered swiftly to all populations concerned, without discrimination or obstacles, and with due attention to the most vulnerable populations and those remote areas that remain hard to reach.

We also join the Secretary-General in his call for setting "the stage for the longer term, as we [must] move from saving lives to recovery and reconstruction", and we, therefore, urge the international community to commit to the pledges made over the past 10 days.  This commitment to a long-term and sustainable effort for the reconstruction of the devastated areas will demonstrate respect for the obligation of international cooperation enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In this respect, we strongly believe that the full participation and involvement of the communities concerned, including women, in the reconstruction of their lives and homes is of the utmost importance for sound, appropriate and quick resettlement and rehabilitation.  Coordinated and participatory planning processes will be essential in securing a place for the human rights and sustainable development agenda, which is vital for ensuring a safe future for the people of the region.  They will also help to ensure full transparency and accountability in bringing resources to those people and areas most in need.

The mandate-holders are:  Ghanim Alnajjar, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia; Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Cherif Bassiouni, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan; Leandro Despouy, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; John Dugard, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; Yakin Ertürk, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences; Sigma Huda, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children; Paul Hunt,  Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Okechkwu Ibeanu, Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights; Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of religion or belief; Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders; Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing; Ambeyi Ligabo, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Bernards Andrews Nyamwaya Mudho, Independent Expert on structural adjustment policies and foreign debt; Vernor Muñoz, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Manfred Nowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Titinga Frédéric Pacéré, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Juan Miguel Petit, Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar; Gabriela Rodriguez Pizarro, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Shaista Shameem, Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination; Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people; Stephen J. Toope, Chairperson, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Leïla Zerrougui, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Jean Ziegler, Special Rapporteur on the right to food.

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